Germany: On Speaking Terms at Last

çThe citizens of the sleepy East German city
of Erfurt could hardly recognize their surroundings. The ancient
cathedral city, home of such medieval relics as an Augustinian
monastery and St. Severus Church, was chosen last month as the site of
the first summit meeting between the heads of government of the two
rival German states. Soon afterward, hundreds of East German soldiers,
police and road crews launched a giant Operation Face Lift. Façades
along the main streets received long-overdue coats of paint. Potholes
in roads were filled. Lemons and other scarce imported items suddenly
appeared in food stores.